New category of social innovators recognizes five initiatives from around the world that develop collaborative actions around global social challenges

MapBiomas received an award on Tuesday 17th during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship., that recognizes 16 initiatives from around the world for its impact and social innovation. MapBiomas was awarded in a new category of the Social Innovators of the Year award - Collective Social Innovation. This category was created to give visibility to innovative models of collaboration and collective impact that are increasingly prominent in social transformation actions. In this new category, MapBiomas is one of five winning initiatives from around the world. 

"Complex problems cannot be solved by isolated organizations, and this year's Schwab Foundation awardees show new models of collaboration across sectors using innovative technology, human networks and shared resources and knowledge. Many social innovators have a long history of working in collaboration with others. The ambition now is to create systemic change through collective efforts," said François Bonnici, director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

Generating systemic change was one of Tasso Azevedo's goals when he led the conception of MapBiomas, bringing together NGOs, universities and technology startups. "Free access to up-to-date, historical and quality information and data on land use and land cover is a prerequisite for implementing public policies, combating deforestation and for companies to act responsibly. Today, anyone with access to the internet can check what is happening across the entire national territory, which has been divided into modules of 30 square meters, analyzed according to their coverage, use and land situation, among other criteria," he says.

The Collective Social Innovation category joins three others, which guided the choice of award winners until last year: Social Entrepreneurs, Corporate Social Intrapreneurs and Public Social Intrapreneurs. The winners are selected by members of the Schwab Foundation Board. The selection committee includes Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who was Prime Minister of Denmark between 2011 and 2015, social innovation expert Johanna Mair, Professor of Organization, Strategy and Leadership at the Hertie School of Governance in Germany, and H.M. Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Honorary Member of the Board.  

"The 2023 Social Innovators of the Year represent a generation of social and environmental change leaders who demonstrate that innovative models of cooperation and action across sectors are essential to making progress on the complex challenges we face," said Hilde Schwab, co-founder and president of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

New award

In April last year, MapBiomas also won an international award: the Skoll 2022 Social Innovation Award, alongside five other initiatives from around the world. The award is the largest and most traditional on the planet for social innovators and the third sector. 

About the Schwab Foundation: The Schwab Foundation supports new models of social change, combining values and dedication with the best business principles to create a fairer, more sustainable and equitable world. Today, the foundation has a thriving community of more than 450 global social entrepreneurs who have impacted the lives of nearly 1 billion people in 190 countries. Entrepreneurs provide access to health, education, housing, finance, digital skills and advocacy networks, resulting in jobs, the creation of economic opportunities, improved health and stability.